I’ve always believed pickleball should be as accessible as it is fun—no matter your budget or skill level. That’s why I love what SLK by Selkirk has done with ...
Mason Kelley
As a lifelong fan of Rafael Nadal, my transition from tennis to pickleball was electrifying, especially when I discovered Babolat's entry into the pickleball ...
Before diving into the details of cold weather pickleball play, let's highlight the pivotal insights that will steer us through the process of selecting and ...
A low-impact routine that targets the whole posterior chain—and doesn't require a gym membership! Unilateral balance training has transformed my pickleball ...
I've been coaching pickleball for over ten years and have seen countless players struggle on their return of serve. They either bunt the ball back softly or ...
Hot on the heels of the spectacular first Pickleball Slam, we're all set to roll out the red carpet for an even more thrilling sequel - the Pickleball Slam 2! ...
Could the seemingly innocent game of pickleball be the culprit behind a surge in injuries and, consequently, a rise in healthcare utilization? This is the ...
If you play pickleball, chances are you have heard the terms “fault” and “dead ball” while playing. But, do you know what these actually are, and are there ...
I’ve been testing the Vanguard S2 2.0 for a few weeks now, and here’s the honest scoop: this paddle’s got one of the largest sweet spots I’ve ever played with. It’s like Selkirk figured out where I usually mishit and just said, “We got you, buddy.”
The shorter handle took a sec to get used to (especially coming from tennis), but it’s perfect for a finger-up grip and quick resets in the kitchen. Control is where this paddle really shines—dinks, drops, blocks—it’s like it reads your mind. Power? Not its main gig, but there’s just enough juice to finish a point when you time it right.
If you’re a doubles player who values touch and forgiveness more than bangers and baseline bombs, the S2 2.0 might be your new best friend.
After a few weeks playing with the Amped Pro Air, I can say this paddle surprised me—in a good way. It’s got a plush, buttery feel on contact that made resets and drops feel automatic, especially when I was getting pressured at the kitchen. The control is dialed in, but what really stood out was how stable it felt on volleys—even when I caught one off-center, the paddle didn’t twist much in my hand.
It’s not a power paddle, and I definitely had to work a little harder to put balls away, but the spin potential helped me create some nasty angles. If your game leans toward consistency, defense, and setting up points rather than ending them quick, this thing is a dream.
I finally got my hands on the Halo Power XL after hearing the buzz—and man, it lives up to the hype. Just like some of the other fellers pointed out, it’s got that classic raw carbon spin we all love, but what really stood out for me was how easy it was to rip drives without feeling out of control.
The paddle’s got a little more pop than your average raw carbon stick, but not so much that resets or drops get tricky. It’s a workhorse. Affordable too, which is a breath of fresh air with how paddle prices keep creeping up. Like others mentioned, it’s not a pure control paddle, but if you like playing aggressive and forcing mistakes, this one’s a blast to swing.
The SLK Atlas was actually my first Selkirk paddle when I started playing, so I’ve got a soft spot for it. I remember picking it up because it felt comfortable right away—big sweet spot, easy to handle, and forgiving enough that I didn’t feel like a total disaster when I missed the center.
It’s definitely not the flashiest paddle out there. The feel is kind of soft and muted compared to the raw carbon paddles I’ve been using lately, and you’ve gotta swing a little harder to finish points. But honestly? It was the perfect starter for me. It gave me time to figure out my strokes without punishing every mistake.
If you’re newer to pickleball or just want something easy and steady, the Atlas is still a solid pickup.
The GX5 Control was a different animal compared to most paddles I’ve used. It’s solid—like, no honeycomb, no edge guard, just one-piece carbon fiber through and through. Coming from something like the Selkirk Halo Power XL, which feels grippier and poppier, the GX5 is way more stable and dampened.
It took me a couple sessions to adjust because the feedback is subtle. But once I got the hang of it, resets and blocks felt automatic. I wasn’t getting those juicy topspin dips like with the Halo, but I was placing shots exactly where I wanted. It’s not a paddle that helps you win points with flash—it helps you not lose points with mistakes.
If you like control and consistency and don’t mind giving up a bit of spin and pop, this one’s built like a tank and plays like a scalpel.